7:05 a.m. update: Current travel times

Traffic continues to stagnate on westbound 494 through Bloomington. A wreck at Penn Avenue is in the final stages of clearing. That can't come fast enough for drivers caught in the backup that stretches back to 24th Avenue.

Two big players in the field of transportation advocacy, outreach, and programming will join forces. Transit for Livable Communities and St. Paul Smart Trips will become one organization starting Jan. 1, officials from both nonprofits announced Wednesday.

The intersection where two Mounds View High School students were killed in a car crash last week will be closed for about 30 minutes Monday afternoon to provide a safe place for people who wish to leave memorials.